VTX

Hey guys, I'm thinking of taking my TSX to a body shop and having the door handles painted to match body color. Chrome door handles is one thing I REALLY REALLY cannot stand. It's too much Buick and it interrupts the otherwise clean C-pillar line flow.

But with the case of the TSX i made a big compromise cause there isn't nothing close out there at that price.

How difficult would it be for the body shop to paint the handles? I think it's just chrome plated plastick. I tapped a nail on the handle and then on the door itself to distinguish the sound, and to me the handles sound like plastick.

Would they have to strip the chrome off and then paint it, or can you paint straight on top of the chrome plating?

Any body/paint experts out there?

Alee:)

I'm almost positive you have to strip the chrome off..

DerwoodEE

They'd definitely have to prep them by sanding them down. I doubt it's any different than what they had to do in order to properly paintmatch my front grill.

I think the painted handles look fine with the chrome trim around the windows. Unless you were getting rid of the chrome trim too, I wouldn't paint the handles.

ShootaV6

100% agree. You def would need to paint the trim around the windows and should probably paintmatch the front grill too so that it is consistent.

Definitely something I have thought about doing though.

fallacy

I think they're teh same handles on the american accord too.

DerwoodEE

They aren't.

Similar, but not the same.

VTX

actually, I intend to leave the chrome trim around the windows as I like them. On some cars the window chrome trim makes it look cheap and less sporty, and on some cars the chrome trim actually adds to the classy look. On the TSXs, the chrome trim enhances the look of quality, mainly because of the gorgeour and angular body lines. But it's those damn chrome door handles I can't stand!!

Covering up window chrome trip is a VERY easy job. You don't even have to paint. All you need is black electrical tape and just cover it up. Since the window trims are painted flat/matte black anyways, the electrical tape looks absolutely factory. And you can "undo" it just as easily.

When I had a 2000 Maxima that's what I did, but like the TSX, 5th generation maximas actually look better with chrome window trim.

www.expresspaint.com I found this site, and I don't think I even need to goto a body shop. I think i can do it myself. Sanding it down real good is the most labor intensive part.

ed_423

i dont know how long the paint on the handle would hold up since u would always be pulling it. but if u decide to do it u can be the first one to test it out!

TSteezyX

lol...electrical tape across chrome window lining? Really?

ttk5

and there are areas on the chrome window trim, like the corners, that would require multiple strips to cover. And you will have to "bend" the tape somehow to use as few strips as possible. With all those peices of tape, atleast some of the many edges will be visible for sure. If you can use the tape and make it look good ill give you props for coming up with a cheap solution :P ... but i think it will be difficult.

ed_423

matte black vinyl > black electrical tape

TSX69

I am pretty sure that the TSX has the same door handles as the ZDX (which would give u an idea of what they look like painted) ... and Accord, just turned upside down:

Alee:)

hmm, from what i can see, i like it!

i'd have a better opinion if we could see it from a distance!

hondu

I like the chrome handles on my black car. Makes it look more upscale to me.

TSteezyX

The handles are similar but clearly not identical.

VTX

yeah i'd be very surprised if the handles had the same part number. As for electrical tape on window trim, you can only see the corners from up close, and even then it's not that bad. Hey, it's not a bad solution for $2.99, and if you are handy and do a good job, it really does look OEM lol

And you can take it right off if you want. I took it off the Maxima after a month cause it looked more upscale with chrome around the windows.

ed_423

u got any pics of the black tape on max?

Simba91102

I agree that durablitly would be a problem, but also think it would look good. And I think it would complement the chrome window trim nicely. I think the chome door handles are overkill; much prefer the 1st gen paint/chrome. I wonder how hard it is to remove the door handles. If it wasn't too bad, you could probably do this yourself, and often (like once a year) if you had too. I wonder if Duplicolor has something out there yet.....

Tannis

I was just washing my car earlier and was pissed about the damn chrome handles. I hate them. I'm taking the car to get those and the window trim painted not this week but next week. I'll post pics as soon as its finished. I'm leaving the beak alone. For some reason I kind of like it the stock color. And if I were to paint that too it'd be like the new Toyota camry with the solid color across the entire car. I don't like it. Maybe I might paint part of the beak. We'll see. But yes. This is getting scheduled. I'll update as soon as I can.

opboarding

Does anyone have pictures of new door handles/black window trim that they've done? Im curious how it looks, and am looking for things to do to my '11 TSX.

Professor

If I though the painted door handles with a thin strip of chrome (like my 2005 RL) would fit on my 2011 TSX, I'd do it in a second.

I hate the handles in terms of color and design.

HondoGermany

Here is my window trim half done. You can see the difference best on this pic. I have a thread with more pics of that.

opboarding

saw the thread with all your pictures. what did you use on it? vinyl or paint? do you also possibly have a brand/type of whatever you used?

TSXKid2010

I wish that Acura did a door handle for the 2nd gen like the first gen, paintmatched with chrome accents.

But with this car, the trim definitely needs to be the same colour as the handles. I plastidipped the chrome trim once and it didn't look right because of the handles. So I'm guessing it works vice versa too

HondoGermany

I vinyled it. Can´t tell you what brand the vinyl is, sorry.

itsx_04

i have done the window trims and leaving the door handles chrome. think it looks better that way. here some pics

http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0186.jpg
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0187.jpg
http://i1126.photobucket.com/albums/...s/IMG_0188.jpg

first try, came out pretty good and had minimal equipment as you can see.

kostantinos

iTrader: (1)

i think i'm going to get a set or replacement handles and have them stripped/painted

and then swap them out

opboarding

I vinyled my window trim like a month ago and left the handles chrome. I'm not sure how much I like it, but I spent like 4 hours doing it so its hard for me to justify peeling it off. It makes the car a little more plain without the chrome, but would look good if you were trying to black out the whole car.

kostantinos

iTrader: (1)

I emailed this owner but no response
Looks like one is white and one is half white half chrome?

Alee:)

^That front door handle reminds me of an infiniti qx56 door handle.

ed_423

the owner is from china i think

kostantinos

iTrader: (1)

he got back to me
He said they are painted covers but they are starting to chip

I'm going to do it the right way

Alee:)

post pictures as you progress.

intheredsdc5

iTrader: (1)

but seriously... don't paint em unless you are going to paint all the chrome.

kostantinos

iTrader: (1)

Got my handle in the mail yesterday and I started working in it

Problem is Honda engineers are on crack; the 2 parts of the handle are held together by 2 screws (or so you think) once you remove the screws, the 2 parts don't come apart because they glue the pieces together as well. Why the hell put screws there then? for looks?

I'm off to get this going, I'll report back later

tobey457

Are you stripping the chrome before having the handle covers painted?

Most will tell you it's ok to paint over chrome, but I have never seen it hold up over time, even when done by a body shop. I would highly recommend taking the extra time to remove the chrome before having them painted.

I have stripped chrome before and have never had luck with chemicals, but using a jack knife works like a charm. Just got to get the angle right, and once you get a corner lifted you can pull decent chunks off. Takes some time, and patience, just don't cut your fingers off.

kostantinos

iTrader: (1)

Yes I'm stripping the chrome but I'm having some issues

1. I want to take the handle apart so the backside doesn't get ruined; but it's a challenge as it's glued together...I'm going to trying thin fishing line to
try and get the glue to break.

2. I usually take my aluminum parts to a shop and they dunk them in a tank
and electrostatically de-chrome them. Since these parts are plastic, I'm not sure they can be done that way but I have left them a message to see if they can.

3. I read chlorox will strip chrome off plastic, I tried it.....no luck

2007 TL

Somehow I can't see electrical tape as a great modification. Although it is an easy fix and easy to remove, it wouldn't provide a nice finish that most are looking for.

The chrome definitely has to be stripped or sanded. I don't think chemicals are the way to go. Keep us advised.

Good luck.

PyroDave

i know they are hard to trust but maybe listen to the focus fanatics? lol

its focusfanatics .com /forum/showthread.php?t=189843

remove the spaces. oven cleaner and purple power seem to be the most agreed upon and don't seem to damage plastic

kostantinos

iTrader: (1)

I have some purple power at home, I'll try it

I think there's various ways to chrome and if these are done the triple coated way, I don't think purple power or oven cleaner will remove actual metal

but I'll keep you guys updated